Methods, systems, and devices for call session management via dynamic control of dual connectivity in a network

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipment is communicatively coupled to a first network node, and where the first network node employs a first radio access technology, determining whether there is an initiation of a call session for the user equipment to be facilitated by the first network node, determining, according to the data relating to the user equipment and responsive to determining that there is an initiation of a call session, a probability that the call session will become disconnected, and controlling connectivity between the user equipment and a second network node based on the probability that the call session will become disconnected, wherein the second network node employs a second radio access technology. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/095,566, filed Nov. 11, 2020. Allsections of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to call session (e.g., voice over LongTerm Evolution (VoLTE)) management via dynamic control of dualconnectivity (e.g., EN-DC) in a network.

BACKGROUND

Some cellular-based networks support a dual connectivity mode ofoperation, such as E-UTRAN New Radio (NR)-Dual Connectivity (EN-DC). Insuch networks, a user equipment that is equipped with appropriate radioaccess technologies (RATs) can simultaneously transmit an E-UTRA uplinksignal and an NR uplink signal. However, a maximum output power, orpower class, can restrict the total amount of transmission power that auser equipment can output at a time. For example, the sum of the outputpower for transmissions over LTE (P_LTE) and the output power fortransmissions over 5G (P_NR) can be capped at a power class(P_powerclass) (e.g., at 23 decibel-milliwatts (dBm)).

Certain user equipment (e.g., “Type 1” user equipment) are equipped withdynamic power sharing capabilities that enable the user equipment todynamically split output power between transmissions in the E-UTRA bandand the NR band, and continue to operate over both bands despite the sumof P_LTE and P_NR exceeding P_powerclass. This type of user equipmentcan thus operate at a cell center and in coverage-limited areas orsituations with minimal to no performance compromises.

Other user equipment (e.g., “Type 2” user equipment) do not supportdynamic power sharing. For this type of user equipment, for example, ifthe sum of the P_LTE and P_NR exceeds P_powerclass, a network operatorcan limit uplink coverage by requiring that the sum of P_LTE and P_NR beless than or equal to P_powerclass. Alternatively, the network operatorcan restrict the user equipment to a single uplink operation mode (i.e.,constrained to only time division multiplexing (TDM)-based, singleuplink transmissions) by disabling one of the bands to maintain servicereliability of the other band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communication network in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limitingembodiment of a communication network or system functioning within or inconjunction with the communication network of FIG. 1A in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within or in conjunction with thecommunication network of FIG. 1A and/or the communication network ofFIG. 1B in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for a system that is capable of providing call sessionmanagement via dynamic control, for a user equipment, of a dualconnectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, where network access isprovided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and a second band (e.g.,an NR band). In exemplary embodiments, the system is capable ofcontrolling connectivity between the user equipment and the network overthe second band by activating, or permitting activation of, the dualconnectivity mode of the network, based on a likelihood (or probability)of service interruption in the first band. In various embodiments, theservice in the first band can include a voice call session, such as, forexample, a VoLTE call session or the like. In some embodiments, thesystem can determine the probability of service interruption based onone or more factors, such as, for example, network resource demand bythe user equipment, signal strength in the first band (e.g., as detectedby the user equipment), and/or transmission power output by the userequipment in the second band.

Controlling connectivity of the user equipment in the second band of thenetwork, based on a probability of service interruption in the firstband, enables the user equipment to continue to utilize the second bandin cases where a level of risk of such service interruption satisfies athreshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold, or is otherwiselow, medium, or the like). For example, in a case where a user equipmentis utilizing the second band, and a call session is to be initiated forthe user equipment over the first band, embodiments of the system,described herein, can maintain the dual connectivity mode of the networkfor the user equipment, such that the user equipment can continue toutilize the second band, if the system determines that a probability ofthe call session being interrupted (e.g., dropped or the like) satisfiesthe threshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold, or isotherwise low, medium, or the like). As another example, in a case wherea user equipment is not utilizing the second band, and a call session isongoing at the user equipment, embodiments of the system, describedherein, can maintain the dual connectivity mode of the network, so as topermit the user equipment to establish a connection with the networkover the second band as needed, if the system determines that aprobability of the call session being interrupted satisfies thethreshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold, or is otherwiselow, medium, or the like). Controlling the dual connectivity mode of anetwork based on probabilities of service interruptions, as describedherein, reduces or eliminates unneeded deactivation of the dualconnectivity mode, and possible later reactivation thereof (e.g., suchas after a VoLTE call session ends), which conserves network resourcesand computing resources. Permitting user equipment to remain connectedto the network over the second band also reduces or eliminates serviceinterruptions in the second band, which improves overall userexperience.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includeobtaining data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipment iscommunicatively coupled to a first network node, and where the firstnetwork node employs a first radio access technology. Further, theoperations can include determining whether there is an initiation of acall session for the user equipment to be facilitated by the firstnetwork node, determining, according to the data relating to the userequipment and responsive to determining that there is an initiation of acall session for the user equipment to be facilitated by the firstnetwork node, a probability that the call session will be interrupted,and controlling connectivity between the user equipment and a secondnetwork node based on the probability that the call session will beinterrupted, where the second network node employs a second radio accesstechnology.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitorymachine-readable storage device, comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processing system including a processor,facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includereceiving data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipment iscommunicatively coupled to a first network node, and where the firstnetwork node employs a first radio access technology. Further, theoperations can include determining that there is an ongoing call sessionat the user equipment facilitated by the first network node,determining, according to the data relating to the user equipment andresponsive to the determining that there is an ongoing call session atthe user equipment facilitated by the first network node, a probabilitythat a quality of the ongoing call session will become impaired, andcontrolling connectivity between the user equipment and a second networknode based on the probability that the quality of the ongoing callsession will become impaired, where the second network node employs asecond radio access technology.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can comprise obtaining, by a processing system including aprocessor, data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipmentis communicatively coupled to a first network node of a network and to asecond network node of the network, where the first network node employsa first radio access technology, and where the second network nodeemploys a second radio access technology. Further, the method caninclude determining, by the processing system, whether there is aninitiation of a call session for the user equipment to be facilitated bythe first network node, determining, by the processing system, accordingto the data relating to the user equipment and responsive to determiningthat there is an initiation of a call session for the user equipment tobe facilitated by the first network node, that a probability of the callsession becoming disconnected satisfies a threshold, and maintaining, bythe processing system, connectivity between the user equipment and thesecond network node responsive to the determining that the probabilityof the call session becoming disconnected satisfies the threshold.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communication network or system100 in accordance with various aspects described herein. For example,the communication system 100 can facilitate in whole or in part callsession management via dynamic control, for a user equipment, of a dualconnectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, where network access isprovided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and a second band (e.g.,an NR band)—by selectively activating and/or deactivating a connectionbetween the user equipment and the network over the second band,depending on a probability of service interruption in the first band.

The communication network 125 provides broadband access 110 to aplurality of data terminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via basestation or access point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality oftelephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or morecontent sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media.While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 andmedia access 140 are shown separately, one or more of these forms ofaccess can be combined to provide multiple access services to a singleclient device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content viamedia terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access viaswitching device 132, and so on).

The communication network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communication network 125 can include wired,optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transfer points,service control points, network gateways, media distribution hubs,servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and other networknodes for routing and controlling communications traffic over wired,optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and other publicnetworks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample non-limiting embodiment of a communication network (or system)180 functioning within or in conjunction with the system 100 of FIG. 1Ain accordance with various aspects described herein. Communicationnetwork 180 can be configured to provide Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity(MR-DC) via a radio access network (RAN) 183 that includes one or morenetwork nodes (e.g., access points, such as base stations or the like).In one example, RAN 183 can include a master node (MN) 182 and asecondary node (SN) 184. In one example, each of MN 182 and SN 184 canemploy a different radio access technology (RAT). A user equipment (UE)192 can be equipped with multiple transmitter (Tx) devices and/ormultiple receiver (Rx) devices configured to communicate with, andutilize network resources provided via, the MN 182 and the SN 184. TheMN 182 and/or the SN 184 can be operated with shared spectrum channelaccess.

One or more of the nodes 182, 184 of the RAN 183 can be in communicationwith a mobility core network 186 via a backhaul network 185. The corenetwork 186 can be in further communication with one or more othernetworks (e.g., one or more content delivery networks (one of which, CDN187 is shown)), one or more services and/or one or more devices. Thecore network 186 can include various network devices and/or systems thatprovide a variety of functions, such as mobility management, sessionmanagement, data management, user plane and/or control planefunction(s), policy control function(s), and/or the like. As shown inFIG. 1B, the core network 186 can include an Access Mobility andManagement Function (AMF) 188 configured to facilitate mobilitymanagement in a control plane of the communication network 180, and aUser Plane Function (UPF) 190 configured to provide access to a datanetwork, such as a packet data network (PDN), in a user (or data) planeof the communication network 180. The AMF 188 and the UPF 190 can eachbe implemented in one or more computing devices (e.g., one or moreserver devices or the like). In some embodiments, the core network 186can additionally, or alternatively, include one or more devicesimplementing other functions, such as a master user database serverdevice for network access management, a PDN gateway server device forfacilitating access to a PDN, a Unified Data Management (UDM) function,a Session Management Function (SMF), a Policy Control Function (PCF),and/or the like.

The MN 182 and the SN 184 can be communicatively coupled to one anothervia an Xn-C interface configured to facilitate control plane trafficbetween the MN 182 and the SN 184, and can also be communicativelycoupled to one another via an Xn-U interface configured to facilitateuser plane traffic between the MN 182 and the SN 184.

The AMF 188 can be communicatively coupled to the MN 182 via an NG-Cinterface in the control plane. In some embodiments, the AMF 188 canadditionally, or alternatively, be communicatively coupled to the SN 184via a similar interface in the control plane. The UPF 190 can becommunicatively coupled to the MN 182 via an NG-U interface in the userplane, and can be communicatively coupled to the SN 184 via a similarNG-U interface in the user plane.

Each of the MN 182 and the SN 184 can include a radio resource control(RRC) entity capable of exchanging network traffic (e.g., protocol dataunits (PDUs)) with the UE 192. In some embodiments, the UE 192 cancommunicate with the MN 182 via a Uu radio interface in an RRC protocollayer of the control plane. In some embodiments, the UE 192 can have asingle RRC state, such as a single control plane connection with thecore network 186 based on the RRC entity of the MN 182. In someembodiments, the MN 182 can facilitate control plane communicationsbetween the SN 184 and the UE 192 by, for example, transporting RRCPDUs, originating from the SN 184, to the UE 192.

The communication network 180 can provide multiple bearer types in thedata plane. For example, the bearer types can include a Master CellGroup (MCG) bearer type, a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) bearer type, and asplit bearer type. Depending on the RATs employed by the MN 182 and theSN 184, various packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) configurationscan be implemented for the different bearer types. Thus, in variousembodiments, each bearer type (e.g., the MCG bearer type, the SCG bearertype, and the split bearer type) can be terminated either in the MN 182or in the SN 184.

In some embodiments, the communication network 180 can be configured toprovide dual connectivity according to an E-UTRAN New Radio (NR) DualConnectivity (EN-DC) configuration. In some embodiments, the EN-DCconfiguration can provide a 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) implementation. Inone example (related to a 5G NSA implementation), an LTE radio and thecore network 186 can be utilized as an anchor for mobility managementand coverage for an additional 5G (or NR) carrier. Network traffic canbe split in a variety of manners, such as across LTE and NR at aneNodeB, at the core network 186, and/or at an NR cell.

In embodiments in which the communication network 180 is configured toprovide the EN-DC configuration, the MN 182 can include a master eNodeB(MeNB) that provides E-UTRAN access, and the SN 184 can include anen-gNodeB (en-gNB) that provides NR access. The core network 186 can be(or can include) an evolved packet core (EPC), where the AMF 188 isimplemented as a mobility management entity (MME) and the UPF 190 isimplemented as a serving gateway (SGW). The core network 186 can includeone or more devices that implement one or more functions, such as a HomeSubscriber Server (HSS) for managing user access, a PDN gateway serverdevice for facilitating access to a PDN, and/or the like.

In an EN-DC configuration, the MN (MeNB) 182 and the SN (en-gNB) 184 canbe communicatively coupled to one another via an X2-C interface in thecontrol plane, and via an X2-U interface in the user plane. The AMF(MME) 188 can be communicatively coupled to the MN (MeNB) 182 via anS1-MME interface in the control plane. In some embodiments, the AMF(MME) 188 can additionally, or alternatively, be communicatively coupledto the SN (en-gNB) 184 via a similar interface in the control plane. TheUPF (SGW) 190 can be communicatively coupled to the MN (MeNB) 182 via anS1-U interface in the user plane, and can also be communicativelycoupled to the SN (en-gNB) 184 via a similar S1-U interface in the userplane, to facilitate data transfer for the UE 192.

In the EN-DC configuration, the MeNB can include an E-UTRA version of anRRC entity and the en-gNB can include an NR version of an RRC entity.Additionally, in the EN-DC configuration, an E-UTRA PDCP or an NR PDCPcan be configured for MeNB terminated MCG bearer types, and an NR PDCPcan be configured for all other bearer types.

In some embodiments of the EN-DC configuration, the AMF (MME) 188 cancommunicate exclusively with the MN (MeNB) 182, but both the MeNB andthe en-gNB can access the core network (e.g., EPC) 186. In variousembodiments, data traffic can be split between the LTE and NR RATs 182,184, but where the MN (MeNB) 182 maintains sole control of the dualconnectivity mode of the communication network 180. The UE 192 canaccess the core network (e.g., EPC) 186 by establishing a connectionwith the MN (MeNB) 182. If the UE 192 supports EN-DC and is capable ofcommunicating in the NR band (e.g., if the UE 192 includes an LTEcommunication unit, such as an LTE Rx/Tx radio and protocol stack, andan NR communication unit, such as an NR Rx/Tx radio and protocol stack),the MN (MeNB) 182 can instruct the UE 192 to obtain measurements of, andprovide measurement report(s) on, the NR band. In a case where the UE192 identifies a candidate network node in the NR band, such as the SN(en-gNB) 184, the MN (MeNB) 182 can communicate one or more parametersto the en-gNB (e.g., via the X2-C interface) to enable the en-gNB toestablish a connection with the UE 192. Upon establishing such aconnection, the MN (MeNB) 182 can then forward a portion of any incominguser data, directed for the UE 192, to the SN (en-gNB) 184 fortransmission to the UE 192, thereby enabling the UE 192 tosimultaneously communicate over LTE and NR to achieve increased datarates. In some embodiments, the MN (MeNB) 182 can request, or otherwise,instruct, the UPF (SGW) 190 to exchange user data directly with the SN(en-gNB) 184. In such embodiments, the en-gNB can similarly forward aportion of any incoming user data, directed for the UE 192, to the MeNBfor transmission to the UE 192.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the communication network 180 can include acomputing device 194 communicatively coupled with the MN 182. Thecomputing device 194 can include one or more devices, such as serverdevice(s), configured to provide one or more functions or capabilities,such as dual connectivity control functions, edge computing functionsand/or capabilities, provisioning of data and/or services for userequipment (e.g., such as UE 192), data analytics function(s), machinelearning and/or artificial intelligence function(s) that provideresource management capabilities (e.g., mobility management, admissioncontrol, interference management, etc.), automatic planning functions,configuration functions, optimization functions, diagnostic functions,healing functions, and/or the like. For example, in someimplementations, the computing device 194 can include, or be implementedin, a multi-access edge computing (MEC) device or device(s), a RANIntelligent Controller (MC), a Self-Organizing Network (SON), and/or thelike. In some embodiments, such as in a case where the core network 186includes an EPC, the computing device 194 can include, or be implementedin, an MME, an SGW, and/or the like.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the quantity and arrangementof nodes, devices, and networks shown in FIG. 1B are provided as anexample. In practice, there may be additional nodes, devices, and/ornetworks, fewer nodes, devices, and/or networks, different nodes,devices, and/or networks, or differently arranged nodes, devices, and/ornetworks than those shown in FIG. 1B. For example, the communicationnetwork 180 can include more or fewer MNs 182, SNs 184, AMF device(s)188, UPF device(s) 190, UE's 192, computing devices 194, core networks186, etc. Furthermore, two or more nodes or devices shown in FIG. 1B maybe implemented within a single node or device, or a single node ordevice shown in FIG. 1B may be implemented as multiple, distributednodes or devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of nodes ordevices (e.g., one or more nodes or devices) of the communicationnetwork 180 may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of nodes or devices of the communicationnetwork 180.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a network system 200 that is configured to provide callsession management via dynamic control, for a user equipment, of a dualconnectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, where network access isprovided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and a second band (e.g.,an NR band)—by selectively activating and/or deactivating a connectionbetween the user equipment and the network over the second band,depending on a probability of service interruption in the first band.The network system 200 can function in, or in conjunction with, variouscommunication systems and/or networks including the communicationnetwork 100 of FIG. 1A and/or the communication network 180 of FIG. 1Bin accordance with various aspects described herein.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the network system 200 can include a network node210 (e.g., an access point, such as a base station or the like) thatemploys a first radio access technology, and a network node 220 thatemploys a second radio access technology. The network nodes 210 and 220can form, or be a part of, a radio access network (RAN) that facilitatescommunications between a user equipment 230 and a core network 240. Theuser equipment 230 can include, for example, one or more data terminals114, one or more mobile devices 124, one or more vehicles 126, one ormore display devices 144, or one or more other client devices.

In some embodiments, the RAN can be configured for EN-DC. For example,the network node 210 can include an eNB (e.g., a Master eNB, or MeNB) ofone cell, the network node 220 can include a gNB (e.g., a secondary NB,or SgNB) of another cell, and the core network 140 can include anevolved packet core (EPC). In various embodiments, the network system200 can include various quantities of cells (e.g., primary cells(Pcells) and/or secondary cells (Scells)), various quantities of networknodes in a cell, and/or various types of network nodes and/or cells.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the network system 200 can include a controllerdevice 250 that is communicatively coupled to the network node 210. Invarious embodiments, the controller device 250 can include, or otherwisecorrespond to, the computing device 194 of the communication network 180described above. In various embodiments, the controller device 250 canbe implemented in a centralized network hub or node device at, orproximate to, an edge of a network provider's (e.g., a cellular networkprovider's) overall network. In some embodiments, the controller device250 can be implemented in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) device ordevices. As the name/nomenclature implies, a MEC device may reside at alocation that is at, or proximate, to an edge of the network system 200,which may be useful in reducing (e.g., minimizing) delays associatedwith provisioning of data or services to one or more (requesting)devices. In some embodiments, the controller device 250 canadditionally, or alternatively, be implemented in a Self-OrganizingNetwork (SON) or other similar network that provides automatic planningfunctions, configuration functions, optimization functions, diagnosticfunctions, and/or healing functions for a network. In some embodiments,the controller device 250 can additionally, or alternatively, beimplemented in a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) or other similardevice or device(s) that leverages data analytics and machine learningand/or artificial intelligence to provide resource managementcapabilities, such as mobility management, admission control, andinterference management, at an edge of a network. In variousembodiments, the controller device 250 may be implemented in one or moredevices included in the core network 240. For example, in a case wherethe core network 240 includes an EPC, the controller device 250 caninclude, or be implemented, in a mobility management entity (MIME)gateway, a serving gateway (SGW), and/or the like.

In cellular-based networks that support a dual connectivity mode ofoperation, such as an EN-DC configuration, a user equipment equippedwith appropriate RATs can simultaneously transmit uplink signals overmultiple bands (e.g., an E-UTRA uplink signal over an LTE band and an NRuplink signal in the NR band). In an EN-DC configuration, the sum of theoutput power for transmissions over LTE (P_LTE) and the output power fortransmissions over 5G (P_NR) may be capped at a power class(P_powerclass) (e.g., at 23 dBm). User equipment that do not supportdynamic power sharing (e.g., Type 2 devices) can be restricted to asingle uplink transmission operating mode—i.e., only LTE—where P_LTE canreach as high as P_powerclass. However, this limits the ability of theuser equipment to utilize an otherwise available NR band for datatransmissions.

In an alternate situation, where P_LTE+P_NR≤P_powerclass is instead setto address the lack of dynamic power sharing capability in a Type 2 userequipment, the user equipment might not be able to output Tx power for asingle RAT, such as LTE, up to the full P_Powerclass. This can result inpoor uplink coverage for that RAT and/or slower uplink datarates/throughput for the user equipment (e.g., increased call drop ratesand/or poor service experience at a cell edge), since P_LTE will need todecrease when P_NR increases.

In various embodiments, the network system 200 is capable of providing,for a user equipment, dynamic control of a dual connectivity mode of anetwork based on a probability of service interruption in one of thebands of the network. For example, in an EN-DC configuration, in whichnetwork access is provided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and asecond band (e.g., an NR band), the network system 200 can activate, ordeactivate, a connection between the user equipment and the network overthe second band, depending on a probability of service interruption inthe first band. The probability of service interruption, such as a VoLTEcall drop or the like, can be based on the Tx power output in the firstband (e.g., LTE band) and/or the Tx power output in the second band(e.g., the NR band). Because the Tx power output in the first band mayvary depending on the network resource demand of the user equipment inthe first band and/or depending on the signal strength of a network nodein the first band (e.g., the signal strength of the network node 210relative to the user equipment 230), which may vary depending on adistance between the user equipment and the network node in the firstband (e.g., since a shorter distance can result in a higher signalstrength and thus a lower required Tx power output), the probability canbe determined based on (e.g., any available information regarding) oneor more of the Tx power output in the first band, the network resourcedemand of the user equipment in the first band, the signal strength ofthe network node in the first band, and the distance between the userequipment and the network node in the first band. Similarly, because theTx power output in the second band may vary depending on the networkresource demand of the user equipment in the second band and/ordepending on the signal strength of a network node in the second band(e.g., the signal strength of the network node 220 relative to the userequipment 230), which may vary depending on a distance between the userequipment and the network node in the second band (e.g., since a shorterdistance can result in a higher signal strength and thus a lowerrequired Tx power output), the probability can additionally, oralternatively, be determined based on (e.g., any available informationregarding) one or more of the Tx power output in the second band, thenetwork resource demand of the user equipment in the second band, thesignal strength of the network node in the second band, and the distancebetween the user equipment and the network node in the second band.

As shown in FIG. 2A, and as shown by reference number 260, thecontroller device 250 can obtain data relating to the user equipment230. In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can obtain thedata from the network node 210 and/or the network node 220. In someembodiments, the controller device 250 can periodically obtain the data(e.g., as the data is provided by the user equipment 230 to the networknode 210 and/or the network node 220).

In some embodiments, and as shown by reference number 260 a, the datacan include information regarding, or relating to, a Tx power of theuser equipment 230 to the network node 210 (e.g., an LTE uplink Txpower) and/or a Tx power of the user equipment 230 to the network node220 (e.g., an NR uplink Tx power). In some embodiments, informationregarding Tx power can include an actual Tx power value. In someembodiments, in a case where the user equipment 230 does not provideactual Tx power value(s), the controller device 250 can be configured todetermine estimated Tx power values. For example, the controller device250 can obtain other data from the network node 210 and/or the networknode 220, such as signal measurement data, and determine estimated Txpower value(s) for the user equipment 230.

In some embodiments, and as shown by reference number 260 a, the datacan include information regarding, or relating to, network resourceusage and/or demand of the user equipment 230 in the first band of thenetwork and/or the second band of the network, information regarding, orrelating to, signal strength(s) of one or more network nodes, such asthe network node 210 and/or the network node 220, that are within acommunicable range of the user equipment 230, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the data can include information regarding, orrelating to, a location or position of the user equipment 230 relativeto a network node, such as the network node 210 and/or the network node220. In some embodiments, the information can be indicative of adistance between the user equipment 230 and the network node. Forexample, the information can include timing advance data, which mayindicate a time or duration of travel of communications, between theuser equipment 230 and the network node 210 and/or the network node 220,that can be used to determine a distance between the user equipment 230and that network node.

In many instances, a different modulation and coding scheme (MCS) forcommunications between a user equipment and a network node can beassigned and utilized depending on a distance between the user equipmentand the network node. For example, the data relating to the userequipment 230 can include an assigned MCS to use for communicationstransmitted via the first radio access technology (e.g., LTE or highergeneration network technology) and/or an assigned MCS to use forcommunications transmitted via the second radio access technology (e.g.,5G, or NR, or higher generation network technology). In variousembodiments, these MCS assignments can be used to determine a positionof the user equipment 230 relative to the network node 210 and/or thenetwork node 220.

In some embodiments, the data can include information regarding, orrelating to, the capabilities of the user equipment 230. For example,the information can identify whether the user equipment 230 is equippedwith radio access technologies (e.g., receivers, transmitters,transceivers, etc.) that support dual connectivity, whether the userequipment 230 can perform dynamic power sharing, possible data transferrates of the user equipment, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the data relating to the user equipment 230 canadditionally, or alternatively, include information regarding anidentity of the user equipment 230, a direction of movement of the userequipment 230, a speed of travel of the user equipment 230, physicallayer properties of the user equipment 230, signal round trip times(RTT), historical location information relating to the user equipment230, behavior information relating to the user equipment 230, and/or thelike. In some embodiments, the controller device 250 can be configuredto perform a trajectory analysis of the user equipment 230 to predict afuture location of the user equipment 230 based on some or all of thisinformation.

As shown by reference number 262, the controller device 250 candetermine whether there is an initiation of a call session for the userequipment 230 to be facilitated by the network node 210. For example,the controller device 250 can determine whether there is an initiationof a VoLTE call (and/or a video over LTE (ViLTE) call or the like) forthe user equipment 230. The initiation of the call session can beperformed by the user equipment 230 (e.g., in response to a user of theuser equipment 230 instructing the user equipment 230 to initiate thecall), or alternatively, can be made by another user equipment locatedremotely from the user equipment 230. In either case, the controllerdevice 250 can obtain information regarding the initiation of the callsession from (or otherwise be notified of such an initiation by) thenetwork node 210, the network node 220, and/or another device of thenetwork system 200.

In a case where the controller device 250 determines that there is aninitiation of a call session for the user equipment 230 to befacilitated by the network node 210, as shown by reference number 264,the controller device 250 can determine, based on the data relating tothe user equipment 230, a likelihood (or probability) that the callsession will be interrupted (e.g., dropped or disconnected). In variousembodiments, the controller device 250 can determine the probabilitybefore the call session is established. In various embodiments, thecontroller device 250 can additionally, or alternatively, determine theprobability while the call session is ongoing.

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can determine theprobability based on one or more information items in the data, such as,for example, information regarding, or relating to, a Tx power output ina first band of the network (e.g., an LTE band), a Tx power in a secondband of the network (e.g., a 5G, or NR band), network resource usageand/or demand of the user equipment 230 in the first band of thenetwork, network resource usage and/or demand of the user equipment 230in the second band of the network, signal strength of the network nodein the first band (e.g., the network node 210), signal strength of thenetwork node in the second band (e.g., the network node 220), a distancebetween the user equipment 230 and the network node in the first band, adistance between the user equipment 230 and the network node in thesecond band, the capabilities of the user equipment 230, a projectedtrajectory of the user equipment 230, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can determine theprobability to be low or high by comparing one or more of the foregoinginformation items and one or more corresponding thresholds. In someembodiments, for example, the controller device 250 can determine thatthe probability is low based on one or more of the following: the Txpower output in the second band satisfying a Tx power threshold (e.g.,is less than or equal to the Tx power threshold), the network resourceusage or demand of the user equipment 230 in the second band of thenetwork satisfying a demand threshold (e.g., is less than or equal tothe demand threshold), the signal strength of the network node in thefirst band (e.g., the network node 210), relative to the user equipment230, satisfying a signal strength threshold (e.g., is greater than orequal to the signal strength threshold), and the distance between theuser equipment 230 and the network node in the first band (e.g., thenetwork node 210) satisfying a distance threshold (e.g., is less than orequal to distance threshold).

In some embodiments, for example, the controller device 250 candetermine that the probability is high based on one or more of thefollowing: the Tx power output in the second band not satisfying the Txpower threshold (e.g., is greater than or equal to the Tx powerthreshold), the network resource usage or demand of the user equipment230 in the second band of the network not satisfying the demandthreshold (e.g., is greater than or equal to the demand threshold), thesignal strength of the network node in the first band (e.g., the networknode 210), relative to the user equipment 230, not satisfying the signalstrength threshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the signal strengththreshold), and the distance between the user equipment 230 and thenetwork node in the first band (e.g., the network node 210) notsatisfying the distance threshold (e.g., is greater than or equal todistance threshold).

As an example, in an EN-DC configuration and assuming that P_powerclassis 23 dBm (or 200 milliwatts (mWatts)), in a case where a user equipmentis located at or near a center of an LTE cell where signal strength inthe first band may be strong, the Tx power output in the LTE band may below, e.g., 50 mWatts, which may permit Tx power output in the NR band tobe relatively high, e.g., to reach as high as 150 mWatts. In this case,so long as the signal strength in the first band satisfies a signalstrength threshold (e.g., is greater than or equal to the signalstrength threshold, or otherwise remains strong) and/or the Tx poweroutput by the user equipment in the NR band satisfies a Tx powerthreshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the Tx power threshold (e.g.,150 mWatts, 145 mWatts, 130 mWatts, or the like), or otherwise remainslow), the controller device 250 can determine the probability of a VoLTEcall session being interrupted (e.g., dropped) to be low. As anotherexample, in a case where a user equipment is far from a center of an LTEcell, the Tx power output in the LTE band may need to be high, e.g., 150mWatts, which may restrict the Tx power output in the NR band, e.g., toa mere 50 mWatts. In this case, the controller device 250 can determinethe probability of a VoLTE call session being interrupted (e.g.,dropped) to be high based on a decrease in signal strength in the LTEband (e.g., based on the signal strength not satisfying the signalstrength threshold, or otherwise being too low) and/or based on anincrease in Tx output power by the user equipment in the NR band (e.g.,based on the Tx output power not satisfying a Tx power threshold, orotherwise being too high). By determining the probability, thecontroller device 250 can dynamically control the dual connectivity modefor the user equipment, such as by maintaining the dual connectivitymode, or otherwise permitting establishment of the dual connectivitymode, when it is determined that a call session becoming interrupted ina first band (e.g., LTE band) is unlikely, and deactivating the dualconnectivity mode, or otherwise, preventing establishment of the dualconnectivity mode, when it is determined that a call session becominginterrupted in the first band is likely.

As shown by reference number 266, the controller device 250 can controlconnectivity between the user equipment 230 and the network node 220based on the determined probability. In various embodiments, thecontroller device 250 can control the connectivity by providinginstructions to the network node 210 and/or the network node 220. As anexample, in a case where the controller device 250 determines that theprobability of a call session being interrupted is high, the controllerdevice 250 can disable, or otherwise deactivate, the dual connectivitymode for the user equipment 230 (e.g., to disable or deactivate the 5Gleg) and/or prevent establishment of the dual connectivity mode for theuser equipment 230 (e.g., to prevent any connection via the 5G leg) byproviding instruction(s) to the network node 210 and/or the network node220 to disable a communication session between the network node 220 andthe user equipment 230 and/or to prevent establishment of acommunication session between the network node 220 and the userequipment 230. If the call session has not yet been initiated for theuser equipment 230, deactivating the dual connectivity mode for the userequipment 230 can ensure that sufficient power of the user equipment 230is reserved for carrying out the call session over the first band. Ifthe call session is already ongoing at the user equipment 230,preventing establishment of the dual connectivity mode for the userequipment 230 can ensure that the user equipment 230 has sufficientpower to continue on with the call session over the first band.

As another example, in a case where the controller device 250 determinesthat the probability of a call session being interrupted is low, thecontroller device 250 can maintain the dual connectivity mode for theuser equipment 230 (e.g., to maintain the user equipment 230'sconnection via the 5G leg) and/or permit establishment of the dualconnectivity mode for the user equipment 230 (e.g., to permit aconnection via the 5G leg) by providing instruction(s) to the networknode 210 and/or the network node 220 to maintain a communication sessionbetween the network node 220 and the user equipment 230 and/or to permitestablishment of a communication session between the network node 220and the user equipment 230. In some embodiments, the controller device250 can alternatively maintain, or permit establishment of, the dualconnectivity mode for the user equipment 230 by not performing anyadditional actions and simply allowing the network nodes 210 and 230 tocontinuing operating as is with respect to the user equipment 230.Maintaining the dual connectivity mode for the user equipment 230 canpermit the user equipment 230 to both initiate (and conduct) a callsession over the first band and utilize the second band of the networkas needed. If the call session is already ongoing at the user equipment230, permitting establishment of the dual connectivity mode for the userequipment 230 can allow the user equipment 230 to connect to the networkover the second band as needed.

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can be configured todynamically control the connectivity between the user equipment 230 andthe network node 220. For example, the controller device 250 mayperiodically obtain updated data relating to the user equipment 230 and,based on the updated data, repeat some or all of the actions describedabove with respect to reference numbers 262, 264 and 266. In some cases,the probability of a call session being interrupted can change, such asfrom high to low or vice versa, depending on the updated data. In suchcases, the controller device 250 can adjust control of the connectivitybetween the user equipment 230 and the network node 220, such as byswitching between disabling the connectivity and enabling theconnectivity and/or switching between preventing establishment of theconnectivity and permitting establishment of the connectivity.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the controller device 250can determine the probability based on various combinations of theinformation items and corresponding threshold(s). It is also to beunderstood and appreciated that the controller device 250 can compare aninformation item and a single threshold, as described above, compare aninformation item and multiple thresholds, which may enable to thecontroller device 250 to determine various levels of probability (e.g.,low, low/medium, medium, medium/high, high, and/or the like) anddynamically control the dual connectivity mode for the user equipment230 accordingly.

It is further to be understood and appreciated that, while embodimentsof the controller device 250 are described herein with respect todetermining a probability of a call session being interrupted, such asbecoming disconnected or dropped, the controller device 250 canadditionally, or alternatively, determine a probability of a callsession remaining connected, a probability of a quality of a callsession becoming impaired, or otherwise affected, and so on, and controlthe dual connectivity mode of the network based on information item(s)and associated threshold(s) similar to those described above. Forexample, in a case where the controller device 250 determines that theprobability of a call session remaining connected is high, thecontroller device 250 can maintain the dual connectivity mode of thenetwork for the user equipment 230 or otherwise permit establishment ofthe dual connectivity mode of the network for the user equipment 230.Continuing with the example, in a case where the controller device 250determines that the probability of a call session remaining connected islow, the controller device 250 can disable the dual connectivity mode ofthe network for the user equipment 230 or otherwise preventestablishment of the dual connectivity mode of the network for the userequipment 230. As another example, in a case where the controller device250 determines that the probability of a quality of a call sessionbecoming impaired, or otherwise affected, is high, the controller device250 can disable the dual connectivity mode of the network for the userequipment 230 or otherwise prevent establishment of the dualconnectivity mode of the network for the user equipment 230.

It is still further to be understood and appreciated that the quantityand arrangement of nodes, devices, and networks shown in FIG. 2A areprovided as an example. In practice, there may be additional nodes,devices, and/or networks, fewer nodes, devices, and/or networks,different nodes, devices, and/or networks, or differently arrangednodes, devices, and/or networks than those shown in FIG. 2A. Forexample, the network system 200 can include more or fewer network nodes210, network nodes 220, user equipment 230, core networks 240,controller devices 250, etc. Furthermore, two or more nodes or devicesshown in FIG. 2A may be implemented within a single node or device, or asingle node or device shown in FIG. 2A may be implemented as multiple,distributed nodes or devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set ofnodes or devices (e.g., one or more nodes or devices) of the networksystem 200 may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of nodes or devices of the network system 200.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 270 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In some embodiments, one or moreprocess blocks of FIG. 2B can be performed by a controller device, suchas the controller device 250. In some embodiments, one or more processblocks of FIG. 2B may be performed by another device or a group ofdevices separate from or including the controller device 250, such asthe network node 210, the network node 220, the core network 240, and/orthe user equipment 230.

At 272, the method can include obtaining data relating to a userequipment, where the user equipment is communicatively coupled to afirst network node employing a first radio access technology. Forexample, the controller device 250 can obtain data relating to the userequipment 230 in a manner similar to that described above with respectto the network system 200 of FIG. 2A, where the user equipment 230 iscommunicatively coupled to the network node 210 employing LTEtechnology.

At 274, the method can include determining whether there is aninitiation of a call session for the user equipment to be facilitated bythe first network node. For example, the controller device 250 candetermine whether there is an initiation of a VoLTE call session for theuser equipment 230 in a manner similar to that described above withrespect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A.

If the controller device 250 determines that there is no initiation of acall session for the user equipment 230, then the method can return toblock 272. If the controller device 250 determines that there is aninitiation of a call session for the user equipment 230, then, at 276,the controller device 250 can determine, based on the data relating tothe user equipment 230, a likelihood (or probability) that the callsession will be interrupted (e.g., dropped or disconnected).

At 278, the method can include controlling, based on the probability,connectivity between the user equipment and a second network nodeemploying a second radio access technology. For example, the controllerdevice 250 can control, based on the probability, connectivity betweenthe user equipment 230 and the network node 220 employing 5G technology(or a higher generation network technology) in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2B, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, communication network 180, the subsystems and functions ofnetwork system 200 and method 270 presented in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B.For example, virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate inwhole or in part call session management via dynamic control, for a userequipment, of a dual connectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, wherenetwork access is provided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and asecond band (e.g., an NR band)—by selectively activating and/ordeactivating a connection between the user equipment and the networkover the second band, depending on a probability of service interruptionin the first band.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1A),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part call session management via dynamiccontrol, for a user equipment, of a dual connectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, where network access is provided over a first band (e.g.,an LTE band) and a second band (e.g., an NR band)—by selectivelyactivating and/or deactivating a connection between the user equipmentand the network over the second band, depending on a probability ofservice interruption in the first band.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunication network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communication network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part call session management via dynamic control, for auser equipment, of a dual connectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC,where network access is provided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band)and a second band (e.g., an NR band)—by selectively activating and/ordeactivating a connection between the user equipment and the networkover the second band, depending on a probability of service interruptionin the first band.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1Athat enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communication network 125. For example,communication device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part call sessionmanagement via dynamic control, for a user equipment, of a dualconnectivity mode of a network—e.g., EN-DC, where network access isprovided over a first band (e.g., an LTE band) and a second band (e.g.,an NR band)—by selectively activating and/or deactivating a connectionbetween the user equipment and the network over the second band,depending on a probability of service interruption in the first band.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communication network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: obtaining data relating to a userequipment, wherein the user equipment is communicatively coupled to afirst network node, wherein the first network node employs a first radioaccess technology, and wherein the data relating to the user equipmentincludes information regarding a distance between the user equipment andthe first network node; determining whether there is an initiation of acall session for the user equipment to be facilitated by the firstnetwork node; determining, according to the data relating to the userequipment and responsive to detecting that the first network node isfacilitating the call session for the user equipment, a probability thatthe call session will be interrupted based on the distance between theuser equipment and the first network node; and controlling connectivitybetween the user equipment and a second network node based on theprobability that the call session will be interrupted, wherein thesecond network node employs a second radio access technology.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the call session comprises a voice callsession or a video call session.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thedata relating to the user equipment further includes informationregarding a Tx power of the user equipment relative to the secondnetwork node, and wherein the determining the probability that the callsession will be interrupted is further based on the Tx power of the userequipment relative to the second network node.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the data relating to the user equipment further includesinformation regarding a network resource demand of the user equipment,and wherein the determining the probability that the call session willbe interrupted is further based on the network resource demand of theuser equipment.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the data relating tothe user equipment further includes information regarding a signalstrength of the first network node relative to the user equipment, andwherein the determining the probability that the call session will beinterrupted is further based on the signal strength of the first networknode relative to the user equipment.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe data relating to the user equipment further includes informationregarding a Tx power of the user equipment relative to the first networknode, and wherein the determining the probability that the call sessionwill be interrupted is further based on the Tx power of the userequipment relative to the first network node.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the determining the probability that the call session will beinterrupted comprises determining that a value of an information item inthe data relating to the user equipment satisfies a threshold.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the controlling the connectivity between theuser equipment and the second network node comprises one of deactivatinga dual connectivity mode of a network for the user equipment, preventingestablishment of the dual connectivity mode of the network for the userequipment, maintaining the dual connectivity mode of the network for theuser equipment, permitting establishment of the dual connectivity modeof the network for the user equipment, or a combination thereof.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the determining whether there is theinitiation of the call session for the user equipment to be facilitatedby the first network node comprises determining whether there is aninitiation of a voice over Long Term Evolution (LTE) call for the userequipment.
 10. A non-transitory machine-readable storage device,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: receiving data relating to a user equipment, wherein theuser equipment is communicatively coupled to a first network node,wherein the first network node employs a first radio access technology,and wherein the data relating to the user equipment includes informationregarding a distance between the user equipment and the first networknode; determining that there is an ongoing call session at the userequipment facilitated by the first network node; determining, accordingto the data relating to the user equipment and responsive to detectingthat the first network node is facilitating the ongoing call session atthe user equipment, a probability that a quality of the ongoing callsession will become impaired based on the information regarding thedistance between the user equipment and the first network node; andcontrolling connectivity between the user equipment and a second networknode based on the probability that the quality of the ongoing callsession will become impaired, wherein the second network node employs asecond radio access technology.
 11. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage device of claim 10, wherein the data relating to the userequipment further includes information regarding a Tx power of the userequipment relative to the first network node, and wherein thedetermining the probability that the quality of the ongoing call sessionwill become impaired is further based on the Tx power of the userequipment relative to the first network node.
 12. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the ongoing callsession comprises a voice call session or a video call session.
 13. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein thedata relating to the user equipment further includes informationregarding a network resource demand of the user equipment, and whereinthe determining the probability that the quality of the ongoing callsession will become impaired is further based on the network resourcedemand of the user equipment.
 14. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage device of claim 10, wherein the data relating to the userequipment further includes information regarding a signal strength ofthe first network node relative to the user equipment, and wherein thedetermining the probability that the quality of the ongoing call sessionwill become impaired is further based on the signal strength of thefirst network node relative to the user equipment.
 15. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein thecontrolling the connectivity between the user equipment and the secondnetwork node comprises one of deactivating a dual connectivity mode of anetwork for the user equipment, preventing establishment of the dualconnectivity mode of the network for the user equipment, maintaining thedual connectivity mode of the network for the user equipment, permittingestablishment of the dual connectivity mode of the network for the userequipment, or a combination thereof.
 16. A method, comprising:obtaining, by a processing system including a processor, data relatingto a user equipment, wherein the user equipment is communicativelycoupled to a first network node of a network and to a second networknode of the network, wherein the first network node employs a firstradio access technology, wherein the second network node employs asecond radio access technology, and wherein the data relating to theuser equipment includes information regarding a distance between theuser equipment and the first network node; determining, by theprocessing system, whether there is an initiation of a call session forthe user equipment to be facilitated by the first network node;determining, by the processing system, according to the data relating tothe user equipment and responsive to detecting that the first networknode is to facilitate the initiation of the call session for the userequipment, that a probability of the call session becoming disconnectedsatisfies a threshold relating to the distance between the userequipment and the first network node; and maintaining, by the processingsystem, connectivity between the user equipment and the second networknode responsive to the determining that the probability of the callsession becoming disconnected satisfies the threshold.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the determining that the probability of the callsession becoming disconnected satisfies the threshold comprisesdetermining that the probability of the call session becomingdisconnected is less than or equal to the threshold.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the maintaining the connectivity between the userequipment and the second network node comprises maintaining a dualconnectivity mode of the network for the user equipment.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein the call session comprises a voice call session ora video call session.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the datarelating to the user equipment further includes information regarding atransmit (Tx) power of the user equipment relative to the first networknode or the second network node, and wherein the determining that theprobability of the call session becoming disconnected satisfies thethreshold is further based on the information regarding the Tx power ofthe user equipment relative to the first network node or the secondnetwork node.